Conveyor system for yarn processing machines



Nov. 23, 1965 c. E. FINGER CONVEYOR SYSTEM FOR YARN PROCESSING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 15, 1962 8 NW; Na

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CONVEYOR SYSTEM FOR YARN PROCESSING MACHINES I Nov. 23, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 13, 1962 Nov. 23, 1965 r E, FIN E 3,219,171

CONVEYOR SYSTEM FOR YARN PROCESSING MACHINES Filed NOV. 15, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Nov. 23, 1965 c. E. FINGER 3,219,171

CONVEYOR SYSTEM FOR YARN PROCESSING MACHINES Filed NOV. 13, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 |8O 74 we \74 174, I7 we I74 1 h I'll l7 :15 n5 Q 0 174 \77 W4 I77 I74 1'1! I74 m I'll i i W: i nz Q72 INVENTOR.

iyHARFE'fi E. FlNGER atnjhmgim W United States Patent 3,219,171 CONVEYUR SYSTEM FOR YARN PROCESSING MACHINES Charles E. Finger, Hickory, N.C., assignor to Hickory Spinners, Inc, Hickory, N.C., a corporation of North Carolina Filed Nov. 13, 1962, Ser. No. 236,896 The portion of the term of the patent subsequent to Nov. 20, 1979, has been disclairned 9 (Ilaims. (Cl. 198-40) The present invention relates to an improved conveyor system and more particularly to such a conveyor system associated with a yarn processing machine for conveying yarn packages processed on said machine to opposite ends thereof.

It is common practice in the textile art, and particularly in the operation of yarn processing machines, for a first operator to remove or dofi the yarn packages from the yarn processing stations of such machines and place them in a yarn package storage platform or bin positioned above the machine. At frequent intervals, another operator will remove these packages from the storage platform and place them in a truck which is pushed longitudinally of the machine by the second operator. Such handling of the yarn packages quite frequently results in damage thereto since the yarn is frequently upset to the point where rewinding is necessary and in such rewinding, the tension in the yarn will not be even. In some cases, the yarn on the packages is broken or is soiled to the point where the same must be relegated to waste. Additionally, considerable time and labor is expended in this dual handling of the yarn packages.

Also, it is the usual practice to process yarns of different types on the same yarn processing machine and to segregate the yarn packages of the different type yarns into lots consisting of a predetermined number of yarn packages. Conventionally, to segregate the yarn packages into these lots, the second operator placing the yarn packages in trucks must exercise considerable care in placing the respective lots in separate compartments of the truck or in several trucks while counting the different types of yarn packages which make up the respective lots. It can readily be understood that such practices are quite laborious and result in considerable physical and mental fatigue on the part of the operator collecting the yarn packages and placing the same in the trucks.

conventionally, yarn processing machines with the yarn storage platforms thereon are illuminated only by overhead lighting which does not focus suflicient light on the yarn processing stations where the same is needed most. This condition is due at least in part to normally high ceilings of manufacturing plants and also because the yarn storage platforms shield some of the light from the yarn processing stations.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved conveyor system for yarn processing machines wherein the yarn packages are conveyed to opposite ends of the machine and discharged into suitable receptacles in a segregated manner to thereby obviate unnecessary handling and the other above-mentioned problems.

A more specific object of this invention is to provide a conveyor system of the character described wherein the yarn packages conveyed thereby are separated into lots of a predetermined number of yarn packages and a signal is given upon the conveyance of this predetermined number of yarn packages into a receptacle by the conveyor system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved conveyor system for yarn processing machines wherein as many as four different types of yarn packages may be conveyed to opposite ends of the yarn processing machine and deposited in receptacles in segregated manner and in lots of a predetermined number of yarn packages.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved conveyor system having a plurality of conveyors wherein upon the deposit of a predetermined number of yarn packages in a receptacle by one of the conveyors, at least that conveyor is stopped and a signal is given so that the filled receptacle may be removed and an empty receptacle positioned for receipt of the yarn packages.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view with portions broken away of a yarn processing machine and the conveyor system of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken substantially along line 3-3 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary vertical section taken substantially along line 44 in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary enlarged isometric view looking in the direction of the arrow 5 in FIGURE 1 with portions broken away and elements removed for clarity;

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 showing the portions which were broken away and the elements which were removed in FIGURE 5 associated with the other structure;

FIGURE 7 is a plan schematic view of a modified form of drive for the conveyor system of the present invention;

FIGURE 8 is a schematic view of an electric circuit for the embodiments of the conveyor system of the present invention illustrated in FIGURES l and 7, respectively;

FIGURE 9 is a plan schematic view similar to FIG- URE 7 of still another modified form of drive for the conveyor system of the present invention; and

FIGURE 10 is a schematic view of an electric circuit for the drive shown in FIGURE 9.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGURES l and 2, the conveyor system of the present invention is shown mounted on a yarn processing machine 20 and more particularly a high speed cone winder of the type manufactured by the Foster Machine Company, Westfield, Massachussets. It is to be understood that the conveyor system of the present invention may be utilized with other types of yarn processing machines or may be used independently of a textile machine for transporting yarn packages from one place to another.

Yarn processing machine 20 comprises a pair of end frame members 21 and a plurality of intermediate frame members 22 (FIGURE 2). Frame members 21 and 22 support a rail 23 which supports a plurality of bobbin holding devices or spindles 24 which are adapted to hold bobbins B from which yarns Y are unwound. Disposed above each of the spindles 24 is a yarn rewinding mechanism 25 which rewinds the yarn Y on a suitable core C into a package P. Prior to rewinding into packages P the yarns pass through suitable slub catching devices 26. It is noted that spindles 24, rewinding mechanisms 25 and slub catchers 26 define a row of yarn processing stations along each side of winder machine 20. A pair of end standards 27 are carried by end frame members 21 and a plurality of intermediate standards 28 are carried by intermediate frame members 22 and extend up- 3 wardly above yarn rewinding mechanisms and packages P being wound thereby. Since the above-described yarn processing machine is conventional, a more detailed description is deemed unnecessary and therefore will not be given.

The conveyor system of the present invention is generally indicated at and comprises a pair of end brackets 31 (FIGURE 2) mounted on end standards 27 and intermediate brackets 32 mounted on intermediate standards 23. Brackets 31 and 32 are identical in construction and therefore only bracket 32 will be described herein and this description will apply equally as Well to brackets 31 with corresponding parts being indicated by the same sub letter affixed to the reference characters 31 and 32. Each of the brackets 32 includes a vertically extending body portion 32a (FIGURE 3) which has a downwardly opening vertically disposed elongate slot 33 therein through which penetrates a bolt 34. Bolt 34 also penetrates through a suitable opening in one of the standards 28 for mounting bracket 32 thereon. A pair of lower arms 32b extend outwardly from opposite sides of body portion 32a above the upper end of slot 33 and have the outer ends thereof upturned at an acute angle to the horizontal.

A generally T-shaped opening 35 is formed in body portion 32a above lower arms 32:) for reasons to be presently described. A pair of upper arms 32c extend outwardly from opposite sides of body portion 32a above T- shaped opening 35. Upper arms 32c have arcuate cutouts in the upper surface thereof with the inner edges of the cutouts being disposed at a higher elevation than the outer edges. Upper arms 32c have laterally off-set bracket portions 32d (FIGURE 3) adjacent the inner and outer edges of the arcuate cutouts. The lower portions of upper arms 32c are provided with generally T-shaped openings 36 which have the cross portion thereof several times longer than the stern portion thereof.

A pair of allochirally arranged bobbin bins 40 (FIG- URE 3) of a generally L-shaped configuration in cross section are mounted on end brackets 31 and intermediate brackets 32 and extend between end brackets 31. Bins 40 include vertical leg portions 40a, disposed on opposite sides of body portions 31a and 32a of brackets 31 and 32 between lower arms 31!), 32b and upper arms 31c, 32c, and horizontal leg portions 40b supported by the horizontal portions of lower arms 31b, 32b and upturned portions 400 extending upwardly from the outer end of horizontal leg portions 4% at the same acute angle that the upturned end portions of lower arms 31b, 32]) extend upwardly from the horizontal and down turned portions 40d disposed at right angles to the outer ends of upturned portions 40c. Bins 40 are adapted to receive full bobbins B for creeling onto spindles 24, empty bobbin cores C onto which the yarn is to be rewound into packages P or the like for ready accessibility to the operator of the yarn processing machine.

A pair of troughs 41, arcuate in cross section, are mounted on upper arms 31c, 32c of brackets 31, 32 in the cutout portions in the upper portion thereof and extend for substantially the full length of winding machine 20 (FIGURE 1). Troughs 41 have horizontally disposed flange portions at opposite sides thereof which overlie bracket portions 31d and are connected thereto by screws 42 (FIGURE 3). Two pairs of downwardly angled discharge chutes 43 (FIGURES 1 and 2) are connected at their upper ends to opposite ends of troughs 41 and communicate therewith for receipt of the yarn packages P therefrom. Chutes 43 extend downwardly and outwardly from troughs 41 and terminate in lower end portions disposed outwardly of the ends of winder machine 20 and above the floor supporting the same such that suitable receptacles R, such as bobbin trucks or the like, may be disposed therebeneath for reception of the yarn packages. Prefably, the lower ends of each pair of chutes 43 are separated by a partition 44 (FIGURE 2) mounted 4;. on the ends of winder machine 20 by brackets 45. Partitions 44 extend outwardly beyond the lower end of chutes 43 and serve to separate the receptacles R to prevent the transfer of yarn packages therebetween.

Opposite ends of troughs 41 and the upper ends of chutes 43 have openings 46 (FIGURES 1 and 6) formed therein and troughs 41 have elongate openings 47 (FIG- URES 1 and 4) formed therein substantially at the longitudinal center thereof. A pair of rolls 50, 51 (FIG- URE 5 are mounted on a shaft 52 for rotation therewith and are disposed beneath the openings 46 at one end of troughs 41 (FIGURE 6). Shaft 52 is journaled in bearings 53 (FIGURE 5) which are mounted on a bearing support plate 54. Bearing support plate 54 is mounted at one end on end bracket 31 and is supported at its other end by a standard 55. Standard 55 is mounted on a motor mounting bracket 56 which in turn is mounted on end frame standard 27 (FIGURE 2).

A motor 57 (FIGURE 5) is mounted on motor mounting bracket 56 and has an output shaft 60 on which is mounted a drive sprocket 61 for rotation therewith. Drive sprocket 61 drivingly supports one end of a sprocket chain 62 which is supported at its other end by a sprocket 63 drivingly mounted on shaft 52.

A first pair of conveyor belts 64, 65 (FIGURE 1) are supported at their discharge ends by rolls 50, 51, respectively, (FIGURE 5) and have the upper reaches thereof disposed in said troughs 41 (FIGURES 3 and 6). Conveyor belts 64, 65 extend downwardly through openings 46 at one end of troughs 41 and around rolls 50, 51 (FIGURE 6) and downwardly through openings 47 at their other ends which are supported by idler rolls 66, 67, respectively (FIGURE 4). Idler rolls 66, 67 are mounted on a shaft 70 for rotation therewith which is journaled in bearings 71. Bearings 71 are slidably mounted for movement longitudinally of troughs 41 and conveyor belts 64, 65 on a bearing mounting plate 72 which extends between two of the intermediate brackets 32 and is mounted thereon by bolts 73.

The lower reaches of conveyor belts 64, 65 extend between rolls 5t), 51 and 66, 67 beneath troughs 41 and extend over and are guided in their travel therebetween by a first pair of guide rolls 74, 75 (FIGURE 5) mounted on a shaft 76 for rotation therewith. Shaft 76 is disposed adjacent shaft 52 which mounts rolls 50, 51 and is journaled for rotation in bearings '77 mounted on bearing support plate 54. The lower reaches of belts 64, 65 also extend over and are guided by a second pair of guide rolls 30, 81 (FIGURES 3 and 4) mounted adjacent idler rolls 66, 67 on a shaft 82 for rotation therewith. Shaft 82 is journaled in bearings 83 mounted on bearing mounting plate 72 in laterally alined spaced relation to bearings 71. Compression springs 84 (FIGURE 4) are positioned between bearings 71 and bearings 83 for biasing bearings 71 away from bearings 83 to properly tension conveyor belts 64, 65, and for other reasons to be presently described.

A second pair of idler rolls 85, 86 (FIGURE 4) are mounted on a shaft 87 for rotation therewith beneath openings 47 in troughs 41 and closely adjacent to idler rolls 66, 67. Shaft 87 is journaled in bearings 90 which are slidably mounted on hearing mountingplate 72 substantially the same as bearings 71 previously described.

A second pair of conveyor belts 91, 92 (FIGURE 1) have the upper reaches thereof disposed in troughs 41 and extending downwardly through opening 47 therein at one end and downwardly through openings 46 at their discharge ends. The ends of conveyor belts 91, 92 extend ing downwardly through openings 47 are supported by idler T0113 85, 86, respectively, and the discharge ends thereof are supported by a third pair of idler rolls 93, 94 mounted below openings 46 at the opposite ends of troughs 41 from rolls 50, 51. Idler rolls 93, 94 are mounted on a shaft 95 (FIGURE 2) for rotation therewith which is journaled in bearings (not shown) which are mounted on a bracket 97 which in turn is mounted on the end bracket 31.

The lower reaches of conveyor belts 91, 92 are guided similarly to belts 64, 65 by first and second pairs of guide rolls 100, 101 and 102, 103 respectively (FIGURES 2 and 4). Guide rolls 100, 101 are mounted on a shaft 104 (FIGURE 4) adjacent to idler rolls 93, 94 wln'ch is journaled in bearings 105 mounted on bearing mounting plate 72. As was the case with bearings 71 and 83, springs 106 are disposed between bearings 96 and bearings 105 for biasing idler rolls 93, 94 away from guide rolls 100, 101 and toward idler rolls 66, 67. Conveyor belts 64 and 91 and conveyor belts 65 and 92 are therefore urged into frictional contact by springs 84, 106 biasing rolls 66, 67 and 85, 86 toward each other. Conveyor belts 91, 92 are driven by this frictional contact in the opposite direction to that which conveyor belts 64, 65 are driven by motor 57.

It is noted that the lower reaches of conveyor belts 64, 65, 91 and 92 are disposed in the cross portion of T-shaped openings 36 in arms 310 of end brackets 31 and arms 32c of intermediate brackets 32 which support the same in their travel between rolls 50, 51, 66, 67, 85, 86 and 93, 94. It is also noted that the rolls supporting opposite ends of belts 64, 65 and 91, 92 are disposed at a lower elevation than the upper surface of troughs 41 so that the upper reaches thereof are pulled downwardly into tensioned engagement with the upper surface of the arcuate troughs 41. The upper reaches of the belts therefore conform to the arcuate configuration of troughs 41 to automatically center the yarn packages thereon and to convey the same to the discharge chutes 43 out of contact with troughs 41. It is further noted that the inner sides of troughs 41 are preferably disposed at a higher elevation than the outer sides thereof to facilitate the placing of yarn packages on the conveyor belts therein and to lower the outermost edge of the troughs 41 away from the eyes of the yarn processing machine operator.

A pair of T-shaped brackets 119 (FIGURES 2 and 6) are provided at each end of troughs 41 and have the lower ends of the stem portion 110a (FIGURE 6) thereof mounted on end brackets 31. The cross portions 11% of T-shaped brackets 110 extend outwardly from the upper ends of stem portions 110a into overlying relation to troughs 41. A pair of feeler members 111 are pivotally mounted on each cross portion 11% above troughs 41 and extend downwardly into the path of travel of yarn packages P being conveyed along conveyor belts 64, 65, 91 and 92 to discharge chutes 43.

Box type counters 112 (FIGURE 6) are mounted on cross portions 110]] of brackets 110 above the feeler members 111. Counters 112 are preferably of the predetermining ratchet type manufactured by Veeder Root, Inc. of Hartford, Connecticut, and include normally stationary wheels (not shown) which may be pre-set to any predetermined number and counting wheels (not shown) which turn until they read the same as the pre-set stationary wheels and then actuate a double throw switch 113 having a normally closed position and a normally open position (FIGURE 8) contained within each of the counters 112. A ratchet arm 114 is connected at one end to the counting wheels of each counter 112 in a manner not shown and is connected adjacent its other end to one of the feeler members 111 by a connecting link 115. It is noted that counters 112 include thumb screws 116 which are turnable to reset counters 112 to zero once the same has counted up to the predetermined number and has actuated switch 113.

A signaling means generally indicated at 120 (FIG- URES 1, 2 and 6) is mounted on cross portions 11% of brackets 110 adjacent each counter 112 and each signaling means 120 comprises a standard 121 terminating at its upper end in a socket 122. A light bulb 123 is mounted in socket 122 and has a guard 124 mounted therearound. Bulbs 123 are connected to and controlled by switches 113 in a manner to be presently described for giving a signal when counters 112 have counted up to the predetermined number.

An illuminating means generally indicated at (FIGURES 3 and 4) is mounted on brackets 31 and 32 between the vertical legs 40a of bins 40. Illuminating means 130 comprises a housing 131 of substantially box shape in cross section which extends through the cross portion of T-shaped openings 35 in body portions 310, 32a of brackets 31, 32. Housing 131 has bulb mounting arms 132 (FIGURE 3) extending downwardly therefrom at spaced apart locations for mounting opposite ends of 21 preferably fluorescent type bulb 133 and incorporates the conventional mechanism for supplying electric current to fluorescent bulb 133 for illuminating the same.

It is noted that bulb mounting arms 132 extend downwardly from housing 131 a distance such that bulb 133 extends through the stem portion of T-shaped openings 35 at a higher elevation than the lower edge of vertical legs 49a of bins 461 such that bulb 133 is shielded from the eyes of the operator of the yarn processing machine. Also, the inside surfaces of the vertical legs 40a of bins 40 are either constructed of suitable light reflective material or are coated with a light reflective material for reflecting the light from bulb 133 downwardly onto the yarn processing stations of winder machine 20 for increasing the light thereat to reduce the time involved in locating broken ends and the like and thereby reducing the physical and mental fatigue on the part of the operator of the yarn processing machine.

Referring now to FIGURE 7 wherein a modified form of drive for the conveyor system of the present invention is shown and wherein like reference characters with the prime notation added are used to indicate like parts, conveyor belts 64', 65 are mounted for rotation by rolls 50, 51, 66 and 67', respectively, and conveyor belts 91', 92' are mounted for rotation by rolls 85, 86, 93' and 94, respectively. As was the case in the previous embodiment rolls 59, 51 and hence conveyor belts 64', 65 are driven by a motor 57' through a drive sprocket 61, sprocket chain 62, driven sprocket 63 and a shaft 52' on which rolls 50', 51 are mounted.

Rolls 66, 67' are rotated by conveyor belts 64', 65' and in turn rotate shaft 70' on which they are mounted. A drive gear is mounted on shaft 70 for rotation therewith and matingly engages a driven gear 141 drivingly mounted on shaft 87 on which rolls 85 and 86' are mounted, conveyor belts 91, 92' are thereby positively driven in the opposite direction to conveyor belts 64, 65.

Referring now to FIGURE 8, there is shown schematically an electrical circuit for the conveyor systems illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 7 which comprises a suitable male plug 142 which may be inserted into any suitable electrical outlet. A power line 143 and a ground line 144 are connected to plug 142 at one end and have the opposite ends thereof connected to opposite sides of motor 57. A master switch 145 is connected in powerline 143 and ground line 144 and double throw switches 113 of counters 112 have their normally closed positions connected in series in power lines 143.

A line 146 is connected at one end to power line 143 and at its other end to one of the terminals of the normally open position of the last double throw switch 113 connected in power line 143. Lines 147 connect one terminal of the nromally open positions of the other double throw switches 113 to line 146 and lines 150 connect the other terminals of the normally open positions of switches 113 to one side of light bulbs 123. The opposite sides of bulbs 123 are connected to ground line 144 by lines 151. It will therefore be seen that each of the normally open positions of switches 113 are connected in series with one of the bulbs 123 and each normally open position of a switch 113 and its bulb 123 are connected in parallel to the open positions of the other switches 113 and other bulbs 123.

Referring now to FIGURE 9 wherein still another modified form of drive for the conveyor system of the present invention is shown and wherein like reference characters with the double prime notation added are used to indicate like parts, conveyor belts 64", 65", 91 and 92" are mounted for individual rotation. Conveyor belt 64" is mounted at opposite ends on rolls 50", 66" which are mounted on shafts 152, 153, respectively, for rotation therewith and which are journaled in bearings 53", 71", respectively. A driven sprocket 63" is drivingly mounted on shaft 152 and is rotated by sprocket chain 62 which in turn is driven by drive sprocket 61" on a first motor 57".

Conveyor belt 65" is mounted for rotation by rolls 51" and 67" disposed at opposite ends thereof. Rolls 51" and 67" are mounted on shafts 154, 155, respectively which are journaled in bearings 53", 71". A driven sprocket 63 is drivingly mounted on shaft 154 and is rotated by a sprocket chain 62", drive sprocket 61" and a second motor 57". Conveyor belts 91" and 92" are likewise mounted for individual rotation by rolls 85", 93" and 86", 94", respectively, which are mounted on shafts 156, 157 and 1611, 161, respectively. Driven sprockets 63" are drivingly mounted on shafts 157 and 161 and are rotated by sprocket chains 62", drive sprockets 61 and third and fourth motors 57".

Referring to FIGURE 10, an electical circuit for the conveyor drive system illustrated in FIGURE 9 is shown and comprises a suitable male plug 170 for insertion into any suitable electric outlet. A power line 171 and ground line 172 are connected to plug 176 at one end and have a master switch 173 connected therein for controlling the operation of all of the motors 57". nect one terminal of the normally closed positions of double throw switches 113 to power line 171 and have manually operable switches 175 connected therein for individually controlling motors 57". Lines 176 connect the other terminal of the normally closed positions of switches 113 to one side of motors 57" and the other side thereof is connected to ground line 172 by lines 177.

Lines 180 connect one terminal of the normally open positions of double throw switches 113 to power line 171 and lines 181 connect the other terminal thereof to one side of bulbs 123". Lines 182 connect the other side of bulbs 123" to ground line 172 in parallel relation to each other and to motors 57".

In operation, the yarn processing machine operator removes or doffs the full packages P from the yarn rewinding mechanisms 25 and places the same within one of the troughs 41 on the particular conveyor belt disposed above the yarn processing station. The arcuate configuration of the troughs and of the upper reaches of conveyor belts 64, 65, 91 and 92 immediately centers the full yarn packages on the conveyor belts out of contact with troughs 41. Conveyor belts 64 and 65 are driven by motor 57 toward one end of the yarn processing machine 20 and conveyor belts 91 and 92 are being driven in the opposite direction through frictional contact with belts 64 and 65.

As the yarn packages P are carried to the discharge ends of conveyor belts 64, 65, 91 and 92 (FIGURE 6) the same passes beneath feeler members 111 raising the same upwardly and which in turn raises ratchet arms 114 by means of connecting links 115. Upon upward movement, ratchet arms 114 rotate the counting wheels in counters 112 which have previously been set to the desired predetermined number of yarn packages to be contained in the lot to be collected in each of the receptacles R. The yarn packages then pass off the ends of the conveyor belts and slide downwardly along discharge chutes 43 into the receptacles R disposed therebeneath.

When the predetermined number of yarn packages has Lines 174 conbeen conveyed by one of the conveyor belts beneath its corresponding counter 112, the counting wheels thereof read the same as the normally stationary wheels thereof and the corresponding switch 113 is moved from its normally closed position to its normally open position. The circuit to motor 57 is thereby broken and the operation of conveyor belts 64, 65, 91 and 92 is terminated. The circuit to the corresponding signal light 123 is completed and the same is energized to signal an operator that a lot of yarn packages has been deposited by the conveyor belt therebeneath in the receptacle disposed beneath the corresponding discharge chute 43. After the operator has replaced the full receptacle with an empty receptacle, he resets counter 112 by turning thumb nut 116 and thereby moves the corresponding switch 113 from the normally open position to the normally closed position. This restarts motor 57 and extinguishes the signal light 123.

It is noted that the four separate conveyors permit as many as four different types of yarn to be processed on yarn processing machine 20 and the yarn packages P to be conveyed to the ends of the machine and deposited in separate receptacles in a segregated manner. To achieve this segregation, the yarn packages being processed on one half of each side of yarn processing machine 20 are placed on conveyor belts 64 and 65 and the yarn packages being processed on the other half of opposite sides of yarn processing machine 20 are placed on conveyor belts 91 and 92.

As the yarn being rewound is depleted from the bobbins B, the yarn processing machine operator may replace the empty bobbin cores on spindles 24 with full bobbins B from bins 40. If desired, the empty bobbin cores may be placed in bins 40 and subsequently removed by another operator. At the same time, bins 40 shield the operators eyes from illuminating means which is directing light downwardly onto the yarn processing stations of winder machine 20. Also, the inner surfaces of the vertical legs 40a of bins 40 reflect the light from bulb 133 downwardly onto the yarn processing stations which increases the light at the yarn processing station without having the same shine directly into the eyes of the operator.

The operation of the embodiment illustrated in FIG- URE 7 is substantially the same as the above-described operation of the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 1 and therefore will not be re-described. Also, the operation of the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 9 is substantially the same as described above except that conveyor belts 64", 65", 91 and 92" are individually driven by separate motors 57". In this regard, the normally closed position of each of the switches 113" of counters 112" is connected in series with one of the motors 57" and each of the switches 113" and motors 57" are connected in parallel with the remaining switches and motors. Therefore, when a switch 113" is moved from the normally closed position to the normally open position, the motor 57" connected in series therewith is stopped while the operation of the remaining motors 57" continues.

It will therefore be apparent that an improved conveyor system for use with a yarn processing machine is provided wherein up to four different types of yarn may be processed on a single yarn processing machine and the yarn packages may be conveyed to the opposite ends of the machine and deposited in suitable receptacles in segregated manner and in lots of a predetermined number of yarn packages.

In the drawings and specification there have been set forth preferred embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes in limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in claims.

I claim:

1. The combination of a yarn processing machine having a row of yarn processing stations along each side thereof and adapted for processing more than two types of yarn into package form and a conveyor system comprising:

(a) two pairs of substantially horizontally disposed elongate endless flexible conveyor belts having the upper and lower reaches thereof disposed in juxtaposed, substantially parallel relation and adapted to be mounted on said yarn processing machine above said rows of yarn processing stations, the upper reaches of said conveyor belts being transversely arcuate to present a longitudinally extending concave upper surface for centering yarn packages placed thereon for conveying the same without damage thereto, the conveyors of each pair being longitudinally alined and extending from a medial portion of said yarn processing machine to the ends of the same,

(b) means operatively connected to said conveyor belts for driving one of said conveyor belts of each of said pairs in one direction such that yarn packages placed thereon will be conveyed to one end of the yarn processing machine and for driving the other conveyor belt of each of said pairs in the opposite direction such that yarn packages placed thereon will be conveyed to the other end of the yarn processing machine,

(c) means disposed adjacent each of said conveyor belts for counting the number of yarn packages being conveyed thereby, and

(d) means connecting said counting means and said conveyor drive means and being responsive to any one of said counting means counting a predetermined number of yarn packages for interrupting the operation of at least the corresponding conveyor associated therewith.

2. The combination of a yarn processing machine having a row of yarn processing stations along each side thereof, and adapted for processing more than two types of yarn into package form and a conveyor system compris- (a) a pair of troughs adapted to be mounted on said yarn processing machine above the rows of yarn processing stations and being arcuate in cross section and of suflicient length to span the distance between the ends of said yarn processing machine when the same are mounted thereon,

(b) first and second pairs of substantially horizontally disposed elongate flexible endless conveyor belts having the upper reaches thereof slidably mounted in said pair of troughs and conforming substantially to the shape thereof, the conveyor belts of said second pair being longitudinally alined with the conveyor belts of said first pair, each pair extending from a medial portion of said yarn processing machine to the ends of the same, the lower reaches of said conveyor belts being disposed in juxaposed substantially parallel relation to the upper reaches thereof,

(c) drive means operatively connected to said first pair of conveyor belts for driving the same in a direction to deliver yarn packages placed thereon to one end of said troughs,

(d) means biasing said second pair of conveyor belts into frictional engagement with said first pair of conveyor belts so that said second pair of conveyor belts are driven in the opposite direction to said first pair of conveyor belts to deliver yarn packages placed thereon to the other end of said troughs,

(e) means disposed adjacent each of said conveyor belts and extending into the path of travel of the yarn packages for counting the yarn packages being conveyed by said conveyor belts and being operatively connected to said drive means for rendering the same inoperative upon the conveyance of a predetermined number of yarn packages by any one of said conveyor belts, and

(f) signal means disposed above each of said conveyor belts and responsive to said counting means rendering said drive means inoperative for signaling that its corresponding conveyor belt has conveyed the predetermined number of yarn packages.

3. The combination of a yarn processing machine having a row of yarn processing stations along each side thereof and adapted for processing more than two types of yarn into package form and a conveyor system comprising (a) a pair of troughs adapted to be mounted on said yarn processing machine above the rows of yarn processing stations and being arcuate in cross section and of sufiicient length to span the distance between the ends of said yarn processing machine when the same are mounted thereon,

(b) first and second pairs of substantially horizontally disposed elongate flexible endless conveyor belts having the upper reaches thereof slidably mounted in said pair of troughs and conforming substantially to the shape thereof, the conveyor belts of said second pair being longitudinally alined with the conveyor belts of said first pair, each pair extending from a medial portion of said yarn processing machine to the ends of the same, the lower reaches of said conveyor belts being disposed in juxaposed substantially parallel relation to the upper reaches thereof,

(c) drive means operatively connected to said first pair of conveyor belts for driving the same in a direction to deliver yarn packages placed thereon to one end of said troughs,

(d) gear transmission means connecting said second pair of conveyor belts to said first pair of conveyor belts so that said second pair of conveyor belts are positively driven in the opposite direction to said first pair of conveyor belts to deliver yarn packages placed thereon to the other end of said troughs,

(e) means disposed adjacent each of said conveyor belts and extending into the path of travel of the yarn packages therealong for counting the yarn packages being conveyed by said conveyor belts and being operatively connected to said drive means for rendering the same inoperative upon the conveyance of a predetermined number of yarn packages by any one of said conveyor belts, and i (f) signal means disposed above each of said conveyor belts and responsive to said counting means rendering said drive means inoperative for signaling that its corresponding conveyor belt has conveyed the predetermined number of yarn packages.

4. The combination of a yarn processing machine having a row of yarn processing stations along each side thereof and adapted for processing more than two types of yarn into package form and a conveyor system compris- (a) a pair of troughs adapted to be mounted on said yarn processing machine above the rows of yarn processing stations and being arcuate in cross section andv of sutficient length to span the distance between the ends of said yarn processing machine when the same are mounted thereon,

(b) first and second pairs of substantially horizontally disposed elongate flexible endless conveyor belts having the upper reaches thereof slidably mounted in said pair of troughs and conforming substantially to the shape thereof, the conveyor belts of said second pair being longitudinally alined with the conveyor belts of said first pair, each pair extending from a medial portion of said yarn processing machine to the ends of the same, the lower reaches of said conveyor belts being disposed in juxaposed substantially parallel relation to the upper reaches thereof,

(c) individual drive means operatively connected to each of said conveyor belts for driving said first and second pairs of conveyor belts in a direction to deliver yarn packages placed thereon to opposite ends of said troughs,

(d) means disposed adjacent each of said conveyor belts and extending into the path of travel of the yarn packages therealong for counting the yarn packages being conveyed by said conveyor belts and being operatively connected to the corresponding conveyor belt drive means for rendering the same inoperative upon the conveyance of a predetermined number of yarn packages by the corresponding belt, and

(f) signal means disposed above each of said conveyor belts and responsive to said counting means rendering said corresponding conveyor belt drive means inoperative for signaling that its corresponding conveyor belt has conveyed the predetermined number of yarn packages.

5. The combination of a yarn processing machine having a row of yarn processing more than two types of of and adapted for processing more than two types of yarn into package form and a conveyor system comprising (a) a pair of side-by-side troughs monuted on said yarn processing machine in overlying relation to said rows of yarn processing stations, said troughs being arcuate in cross section and of a length substantially spanning the distance between the ends of said yarn processing machine,

(b) a first pair of elongate endless flexible conveyor having the upper reaches thereof slidably mounted in said troughs and extending from a medial portion thereof to one end of said troughs, the upper reaches of said first pair of conveyor belts conforming substantially to the shape of said troughs and the lower reaches thereof being disposed below said troughs in juxaposed, substantially parallel relation to the upper reaches of said first pair of conveyor belts,

(c) a second pair of elongate endless flexible conveyor belts also having the upper reaches thereof slidably mounted in said troughs in longitudinal alinement with said first pair of conveyor belts and extending substantially from the ends of said first pair of conveyor belts at the medial portion of said troughs to the other end of said troughs, the upper reaches of said second pair of conveyor belts conforming substantially to the shape of said troughs and the lower reaches thereof being disposed below said troughs in juxaposed, substantially parallel relation to the upper reaches of said second pair of conveyor belts,

((1) drive means operatively connected to said first pair of conveyor belts for driving the same in a di-' rection to convey yarn packages placed thereon to said one end of said troughs, and

(e) means operatively connecting said first pair of conveyor belts to said second pair of conveyor belts for driving said second pair of conveyor belts in the opposite direction to convey yarn packages placed thereon to the other end of said troughs.

6. The structure set forth in claim 5 wherein said means operatively connecting said first pair of conveyor belts to said second pair of conveyor belts comprises means biasing said second pair of conveyor belts into frictional engagement with said first pair of conveyor belts so that said first pair of conveyor belts drives said second pair of conveyor belts through the frictional engagement therewith.

7. The structure set forth in claim 5 wherein said means operatively connecting said first pair of conveyor belts to said second pair of conveyor belts comprises a drive gear driven by said first pair of conveyor belts and a driven gear meshing with said drive gear and operatively connected to said second pair of conveyor belts for positively driving said second pair of conveyor belts from said first pair of conveyor belts.

8. The combination of a yarn'processing machine having a row of yarn processing stations along each side thereof and adapted for processing more than two types of yarn into package form and a conveyor system comprising (a) a pair of side-by-side troughs mounted on said yarn processing machine in overlying relation to said rows of yarn processing stations and being arcuate in cross section and of a length substantially spanning the distance between the ends of said yarn processing machine,

(b) a first pair of elongate endless flexible conveyor belts having the upper reaches thereof slidably sup ported in said troughs and extending from a medial portion thereof to one end of said troughs and conforming substantially to the shape thereof, the lower reaches of said first pair of conveyor belts being disposed below said troughs in juxaposed, substantially parallel relation to the upper reaches of said first pair of conveyor belts,

(c) a second pair of elongate endless flexible conveyor belts having the upper reaches thereof slidably supported in said troughs in longitudinal alinement with said first pair of conveyor belts and likewise extending from a medial portion thereof to one end of said troughs and conforming substantially to the shape of said troughs, the lower reaches of said second pair of conveyor belts being disposed below said troughs in juxaposed, substantially parallel relation to the upper reaches of said second pair of conveyor belts, and

(d) individual drive means operatively connected to each of said conveyor belts for individually driving the same to convey yarn packages placed thereon to opposite ends of said troughs.

9. The structure set forth in claim 8 including means disposed adjacent each of said conveyor belts and extending into the path of travel of yarn packages being conveyed thereby for counting the yarn packages conveyed by each of said conveyor belts, each of said counting means being operatively connected to the corresponding conveyor belt driving means for rendering the same inoperative upon the conveyance of a predetermined number of yarn packages by the corresponding conveyor belt, and signal means operatively associated with each of said counting means and responsive to said counting means rendering the corresponding conveyor belt driving means inoperative for indicating that the corresponding conveyor belt has conveyed the predetermined number of yarn packages.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 410,367 9/1889 Lough 74 -219 1,000,736 8/ 1911 Koerner 19831.3 2,087,860 7/1937 Nichols 19840 X 2,663,404 12/1953 Petterson 198203 2,712,642 7/1955 Jennings 235l32 2,787,367 4/1957 Been l98230 3,064,791 11/1962 Finger 198191 SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner.

ERNEST A. FALLER, Examiner,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,219,171 November 23, 1965 Charies E. Finger ppears in the above numbered pat- It is hereby certified that error a ent should read as ent requiring correction and that the said Letters Pat corrected below.

Column 6, line 68, for "nromally" read normally column 11, lines 18 and 19, strike out "more than two types of of" and insert instead station along each side thereof line 28, after "conveyor" insert belts Signed and sealed this 27th day of September 1966.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER Attesting Officer EDWARD J. BRENNER Commissioner of Patents 

1. THE COMBINATION OF A YARN PROCESSING MACHINE HAVING A ROW OF YARN PROCESSING STATIONS ALONG EACH SIDE THEREOF AND ADAPTED FOR PROCESSING MORE THAN TWO TYPES OF YARN INTO PACKAGE FORM AND A CONVEYOR SYSTEM COMPRISING: (A) TWO PAIRS OF SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED ELONGATE ENDLESS FLEXIBLE CONVEYOR BELTS HAVING THE UPPER AND LOWER REACHES THEREOF DISPOSED IN JUXTAPOSED, SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL RELATION AND ADAPTED TO BE MOUNTED ON SAID YARN PROCESSING MACHINE ABOVE SAID ROWS OF YARN PROCESSING STATIONS, THE UPPER REACHES OF SAID CONVEYOR BELTS BEING TRANSVERSELY ARCUATE TO PRESENT A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING CONCAVE UPPER SURFACE FOR CENTERING YARN PACKAGES PLACED THEREON FOR CONVEYING THE SAME WITHOUT DAMAGE THERETO, THE CONVEYORS OF EACH PAIR BEING LONGITUDINALLY ALINED AND EXTENDING FROM A MEDIAL PORTION OF SAID YARN PROCESSING MACHINE TO THE ENDS OF THE SAME, (B) MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID CONVEYOR BELTS FOR DRIVING ONE OF SAID CONVEYOR BELTS OF EACH OF SAID PAIRS IN ONE DIRECTION SUCH THAT YARN PACKAGES PLACED THEREON WILL BE CONVEYED TO ONE END OF THE YARN PROCESSING MACHINE AND FOR DRIVING THE OTHER CONVEYOR BELT OF EACH OF SAID PAIRS IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION SUCH THAT YARN PACKAGES PLACED THEREON WILL BE CONVEYED TO THE OTHER END OF THE YARN PROCESSING MACHINE, (C) MEANS DISPOSED ADJACENT EACH OF SAID CONVEYOR BELTS FOR COUNTING THE NUMBER OF YARN PACKAGES BEING CONVEYED THEREBY, AND (D) MEANS CONNECTING SAID COUNTING MEANS AND SAID CONVEYOR DRIVE MEANS AND BEING RESPONSIVE TO ANY ONE OF SAID COUNTING MEANS COUNTING A PREDETERMINED NUMBER OF YARN PACKAGES FOR INTERRUPTING THE OPERATION OF AT LEAST THE CORRESPONDING CONVEYOR ASSOCIATED THEREWITH. 